Roy Chambers

Roy Chambers, 91, Grandfather, Fisherman, Rancher

Roy Milton Chambers was born to Andrew (Andy) Chambers and Ida Kneedy-Chambers.  He was born at home, in a log cabin, in the community of Grovont, now known as Mormon Row, between Kelly and Moose. He was the third of seven children, all of whom have preceded him in death: Vera, Reese, Roy, Cora, Inez, Glen and Anita Kathleen (Peaches). When Roy was three years old, his grandparents, the Kneedys, were killed in the Kelly flood.

His immediate family worked hard to etch out a life on what would later be called Mormon Row, farming oats and hay. They also raised cattle, chickens, and horses to work and ride, and always had at least one pig to provide food for the family.

Roy always loved school and was a good student, walking to the nearby school for his K- 8 education. In the 1930’s, Roy’s parents bought the old Curtis home in Jackson so their children could attend the high school located only three doors down from their new house. Despite missing almost a year of education when the school house burdened down, he graduated from Jackson-Wilson High School in 1943. He had plans to attend college to study accounting, but his dad passed away in 1945 and his older brother, Reese, joined the service. As a result of these changes, instead of leaving for college, Roy stayed and helped his mother raise his younger siblings, Glen and Peach. He also managed the family ranch at this time. When Reese returned after his service was completed, Roy and Reese bought and raised registered Herefords in addition to the preexisting family ranch.

Charlotte Beckman (Becky) came from Minnesota in 1954 to nurse in the old St. John’s hospital, a log building on the site of the current Episcopal Church in Jackson. However, her stay eventually became permanent when she married Roy in January 1956. They had their first child, Becky Ann, the following December, and the child and marriage, being substantial tax deductions, were celebrated by everyone in town, especially Roy and his accountant, Ralph Gill.  Two boys later joined the family: Carl Andrew in February 1958, and Jon Roy, in February 1960.

In 1958, Roy and Reese purchased Claude Wham’s hunting camp, 147 acres located on the Gros Ventre River, a few miles below the landslide that had caused the Kelly flood.  They lovingly restored the ranch as time and money allowed, and finally opened the Flying V Guest Ranch in 1966. For the ensuing twenty years, they operated both the guest and cattle ranch. Roy sold the Flying V in 1986, and it became the Gros Venture River Ranch. The cattle ranch was purchased by Grand Teton National Park.

After Roy retired from ranching and operating the Flying V, he purchased a boat and spent much of his time in the summer on Jackson Lake fishing. In the winter, he went ice fishing and snowmobiling. He also began to build fishing rods, and eventually completed more than one hundred specialty rods. While he would never sell them, he gave all of these rods to friends and family.  Additionally, he enjoyed time with friends and family, especially loving any time spent with his grandchildren.

In keeping with his early love of education, he helped finance a college education for his sister, Peach, and all of his children and grandchildren went to college thanks to his generosity.

Roy was a member of the American Hereford Association, the Dude Rancher’s Association, and the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member and past president of the Jackson Hole Cattle and Horse Association.

Roy is survived by his wife Charlotte (Becky) Chambers; children Becky Ann (Martin) Murphy, Carl (Mary Ann) Chambers, Jon (Janet) Chambers; grandchildren Shannon Murphy, Ryan (Rachel) Murphy, Elsha Joy (Ryan) Winsor, and Alex Chambers.

We can not imagine this world without Roy.  We will miss him, but he made the world a better place for so many people (and lots of cows and horses too).  To honor him donations may be made to the Jackson Hole EMS or St. John’s Living Center.  There will be a memorial: The Virginian Convention Center, August 14th, 11am, reception to follow.